Weeds

Lord Patten: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether the Highways Agency is taking all necessary steps to control and eradicate ragwort on motorway verges.

Lord Adonis: The Highways Agency takes its responsibilities for the control of ragwort very seriously and works in line with the Code of Practice onHow to Prevent the Spread of Ragwort of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs to control this injurious weed. The code does not seek to eradicate ragwort; it only seeks to control its growth and spread where there is a threat to the health and welfare of animals.
	The agency requires each of its managing agents for the motorways and trunk roads in England to prepare and implement programmes to deal with ragwort at suitable times during the growing season as part of the normal maintenance regime.